As we celebrate the bevy of nominees revealed for the 2025 Tony Awards, we are also paying tribute to the 13 productions that have sadly been shut out of this year's competition.
The 2024-2025 season was truly remarkable, and competition was fierce in nearly every category. These shows weren't able to break free from the pack鈥攂ut that certainly doesn't mean their artistry was any less valuable. Pour one out for these artists.
All In: Comedy About Love
Written by Simon Rich, this endearing story collection finished its high-grossing Broadway run at the Hudson Theatre February 15 after beginning previews December 11, 2024 and opening December 22. With Alex Timbers at the helm, the work compiled a selection of Rich-penned stories about dating, heartbreak, and marriage, all adapted from short stories that were published in The New Yorker, whose cartoonist Emily Flake created illustrations for the production as well. The performances also featured live music from married musical duo The Bengsons, comprising Abigail and Shaun Bengson. The pair performed songs live on stage from The Magnetic Fields (composed by Stephin Merritt), including songs from the album 69 Love Songs, which Rich says inspired the stories that serve as the play's script.
As for the cast, the production welcomed a starry, rotating roster of Broadway and comedy favorites to the stage throughout the run. The closing cast was led by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and also featured Tim Meadows, Annaleigh Ashford, and Hank Azaria. The production opened with John Mulaney leading the affair, and also featured Fred Armisen, Ren茅e Elise Goldsberry, Richard Kind, Aidy Bryant, Nick Kroll, Andrew Rannells, Chloe Fineman, Jimmy Fallon, and David Cross during the run.
Cult of Love
Leslye Headland's debut play completed its Broadway run at Second Stage's Helen Hayes Theater February 2, after opening December 12, 2024, following the beginning of previews November 20. Directed by Trip Cullman, the play centers on the four adult children of the Dahl family and their partners as they return home for a rocky holiday gathering.
The Broadway production starred David Rasche (Succession) as William "Bill" Dahl, Mare Winningham (Georgia) as Virginia "Ginny" Dahl, Molly Bernard (Younger) as Rachel Dahl, Roberta Colindrez (Fun Home) as Pippa Ferguson, Barbie Ferreira (Euphoria) as Loren Montgomery, Rebecca Henderson (Star Wars: Acolyte) as Evie Dahl, Christopher Lowell (Glow) as James Bennett, Zachary Quinto (The Boys in the Band) as Mark Dahl, Christopher Sears (The Harvest and Gently Down the Stream) as Johnny Dahl, and Emmy, BAFTA, and Golden Globe nominee Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies) as Diana Dahl Bennett.
Elf
The holiday revival of Elf the Musical completed its limited engagement at the Marquis Theatre January 4 after beginning previews November 9, 2024, and officially opening November 17. Led by Mean Girls and Shucked star Grey Henson, the musical was a favorite among ticket buyers during the holiday season, regularly appearing in the Main Stem's top five highest grossers.
Co-starring with Henson was Lord of the Rings and Stranger Things star Sean Astin as Santa, alongside Ashley Brown (Mary Poppins) as Emily Hobbs, Kayla Davion (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) as Jovie, Kalen Allen (The Ellen DeGeneres Show) as Store Manager, Michael Hayden (Carousel) as Walter Hobbs, Kai Edgar (Charlie & The Chocolate Factory) as Michael, Jennifer S谩nchez (Pretty Woman) as Deb, and Michael Deaner (Leopoldstadt) as Little Boy.
Home
The Roundabout Theatre Company revival of the late Samm-Art Williams' Home completed its limited run at Broadway's Todd Haimes Theatre July 21, 2024. The revival began previews May 17 and officially opened June 5 with Tony winner Kenny Leon at the helm.
The play follows Cephus Miles, a Black southern farmer who is jailed for his opposition to the Vietnam War. He then moves north, only to find even more difficulties away from his North Carolina home. The coming-of-age story was originally staged by the Negro Ensemble Company in 1979 and transferred to Broadway the following year.
The 2024 Broadway cast featured Tory Kittles (The Equalizer, True Detective) as Cephus Miles, Brittany Inge (Lethal Legacy, Boomerang) as Woman One/Pattie Mae Wells, and Stori Ayers (Blood at the Root) as Woman Two. Kimber Elayne Sprawl (Girl From the North Country) and RJ Foster (Fat Ham) served as understudies.
JOB
Max Wolf Friedlich's JOB played the final performance of its extended run at the Hayes Theater October 27, 2024. The production began previews July 15 and officially opened July 30, with the run originally set to conclude September 29.
Directed by Michael Herwitz, the psychological thriller came to the Main Stem with its original cast from its two earlier Off-Broadway engagements, at SoHo Playhouse in fall 2023 and the Connelly Theatre earlier in 2024, including Tony nominee Peter Friedman (Ragtime, Succession) and Sydney Lemmon (罢脕搁, Helstrom).
Left on Tenth
Delia Ephron's Left on Tenth completed its Broadway run at the James Earl Jones Theatre February 2. The Susan Stroman-directed production began performances September 26, 2024 and opened October 23.
Based on Ephron's New York Times best-selling memoir, the play starred Emmy winner Julianna Margulies as Delia and Golden Globe winner Peter Gallagher as Peter. Margulies and Gallagher were joined onstage by Peter Francis James (Funny Girl) and Kate MacCluggage (The 39 Steps). The work was a true story about love, hope, and the wonder of second chances. When she least expected it, a surprising connection with a man from her past led Ephron to fall into her own romantic comedy.
McNeal
Lincoln Center Theater's A.I.-themed McNeal, penned by Pulitzer Prize winner Ayad Akhtar, completed its world-premiere run at the Vivian Beaumont Theater on Broadway November 24, 2024. The production began previews September 5 and officially opened September 30.
Film star Robert Downey Jr. led the cast in his Broadway debut, with Tony winner Bartlett Sher at the helm. Downey starred as Jacob McNeal, a celebrated author fixated on artificial intelligence鈥攁nd the Nobel Peace Prize in Literature. The cast also included Ruthie Ann Miles as Sahra Grewal, Andrea Martin as Stephie Banic, Saisha Talwar as Dipti, Rafi Gavron as Harlan McNeal, Brittany Bellizeare as Natasha Brathwaite, and Melora Hardin as Francine Blake. Understudies Peter Bradbury, Nancy Lemenager, Janiah-Camile Fran莽ois, and Benjamin Wheelwright rounded out the company.
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Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends
Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends officially opened its Broadway transfer at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre via Manhattan Theatre Club April 8 after beginning previews March 25. Tony winners Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga are reprising their performances from the concert's London bow, leading a cast of stage notables singing songs written by the late Broadway master.
The cast also includes Jacob Dickey, Kevin Earley, Jasmine Forsberg, Kate Jennings Grant, Bonnie Langford, Tony winner Beth Leavel, Tony nominee Gavin Lee, Olivier nominee Jason Pennycooke, Olivier winner Joanna Riding, Jeremy Secomb, Kyle Selig, Maria Wirries, Daniel Yearwood, Paige Faure, Alexa Lopez, Greg Mills, and Peter Neureuther. Langford, Lee, Pennycooke, Riding, and Secomb are all reprising their work from the London bow.
Once Upon a Mattress
Broadway's Once Upon a Mattress revival played its final performance at the Hudson Theatre November 30, 2024 after beginning previews July 31 and opening August 12. The production arrived on the Main Stem via New York City Center Encores! with much of the cast from that run earlier in the year reprising their work. Featuring a book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer; music by Mary Rodgers; and lyrics by Barer, Once Upon a Mattress is a comedic retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale The Princess and the Pea. The musical, which premiered Off-Broadway in 1959, launched the career of Carol Burnett, who starred in the work's original Off-Broadway and Broadway bows along with a string of live TV productions. The musical has since become a favorite at high schools and theatre groups around the world. This revival featured a book adaptation penned by Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls).
The cast was led by two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster as Princess Winnifred, alongside Michael Urie as Prince Dauntless, Ana Gasteyer as Queen Aggravain, Nikki Ren茅e Daniels as Lady Larken, Will Chase as Sir Harry, Daniel Breaker as the Jester, David Patrick Kelly as King Sextimus the Silent, Brooks Ashmanskas as the Wizard, and Kara Lindsay as the standby for Princess Winnifred.
Othello
Broadway's newest revival of Othello opened at the Barrymore Theatre March 23. The production began previews February 24. The Kenny Leon-helmed production is led by Denzel Washington in the title role and Jake Gyllenhaal as Iago.
They are joined by Molly Osborne as Desdemona, Andrew Burnap as Cassio, Anthony Michael Lopez as Roderigo, Daniel Pearce as Brabantio, Kimber Elayne Sprawl as Emilia, Neal Bledsoe as The Duke of Venice, Julee Cerda as Bianca, Ezra Knight as Montano, Gene Gillette as Gratiano, and Rob Heaps as Ludovico. The ensemble comprises William Connell, Ty Fanning, Ben Graney, Daniel Reece, Christina Sajous, Sarah Thorn, and Greg Wood, with swing Abiola Obatolu rounding out the company.
Redwood
Tony winner Idina Menzel returned to Broadway in the new musical Redwood February 13, after beginning previews January 24. The musical is performing at the Nederlander Theatre, the former home of Rent, which marked Menzel's Broadway debut. Menzel stars as Jesse, a woman who finds herself at a crossroads in a Northern California redwood forest after a life-altering event.
The Tina Landau-Kate Diaz musical also features De'Adre Aziza as Mel, Michael Park as Finn, and Zachary Noah Piser as Spencer, newly joined by Khaila Wilcoxon as Becca. Standbys Daniel Brackett, Bradley Dean, Veronica Otim, and Jessica Phillips round out the company. Landau, who's directing the Broadway bow, conceived the work with Menzel (who provides additional contributions), and has written the book. The score features music by Diaz and lyrics by Diaz and Landau.
Tammy Faye
Broadway's Tammy Faye closed December 8, 2024, following its November 14 opening night at the newly refurbished Palace Theatre. The musical features music by Tony winner and five-time Grammy winner Elton John, lyrics by the Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears, and a book by James Graham (Dear England). The work came to Broadway following a 2022 world premiere bow in London's West End that earned four Olivier Award nominations, including Best Musical. Rupert Goold directed.
Katie Brayben reprised her Olivier-winning performance in the musical's title role following a 2022 West End run, also directed by Goold, at Almeida Theatre. Also leading the Broadway company were two-time Tony winner Christian Borle as Faye's husband, Jim Bakker; and Tony winner Michael Cerveris as Reverend Jerry Falwell.
The Last Five Years
Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years officially opened its Broadway premiere run at the Hudson Theatre April 6 after beginning previews March 18. Whitney White is at the helm. Starring in the two-hander are Nick Jonas and Tony winner Adrienne Warren, as Jamie and Cathy, respectively. Standbys Noah Kieserman and Nasia Thomas round out the company.
The Last Five Years tracks a five-year relationship between Cathy and Jamie from beginning to end via intertwining solo songs, with Jamie's story unfolding chronologically and Cathy's reverse chronologically. The musical, which premiered at Skokie, Illinois's Northlight Theatre before a 2002 Off-Broadway run at Minetta Lane Theatre starring Norbert Leo Butz and Sherie Rene Scott, has become a particular favorite among theatre fans. This Broadway bow is the work's first, following an Off-Broadway revival in 2013 and a film adaptation in 2014.
Winners will be named at the 78th Annual Tony Awards ceremony June 8, broadcasting live from Radio City Music Hall beginning at 8 PM ET on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. Wicked film star and Tony winner Cynthia Erivo is set to host the evening.
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